A Bath primary where a ‘true sense of belonging and looking after one another reverberates through all that the school does’ has been praised by inspectors.
St Michael’s Junior Church School in Twerton, led by Executive Headteacher Clare Greene and Head of School, Rebecca Mellor, is a place where pupils are supportive, inclusive, kind and caring towards one another, the report said.
The school was inspected by a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspector in March, who said: "An embedded Christian vision, championed and articulated at all levels, drives the strategic direction of the school. Leaders provide opportunities for all to be ready for life now and in the future."
The school’s vision describes the aspiration to ’work with the community and church’ for the benefit of the children and the inspector noted the strong sense of community values running through the school.
The report said: “St Michael’s Christian vision is fully embedded into school life. It flows through the school, driven by staff and leaders enabling pupils to flourish. Pupils behave well. They are supportive, inclusive, kind and caring towards one another.
“The vision helps them to learn, have hope and develop a future. Staff know each pupil well and are deeply committed to ensuring individuals have their needs met. St Michael's is championed as a place where everyone is there for one another.”
The wide-ranging and enriching curriculum for the pupils was also praised and leaders were given credit for the development of a range of opportunities.
The inspector said: “Leaders offer a wide range of opportunities for all to flourish. These include outdoor learning, den-making, tree-climbing, a mud kitchen and a repurposed play bus. A range of music and sport activities as well as trips, are provided which are appreciated by pupils. The school is proud to have sung for the Queen at Bath Abbey. These opportunities create a culture in which pupils’ wellbeing is enhanced.”
Other strengths of the school include:
- The vision is at the heart of the curriculum that provides rich learning experiences for all. Pupils ask questions of themselves and the world around them.
- Collective worship is prioritised and timetabled as an integral part of the school day. It enhances the emotional and spiritual life of pupils and adults, enabling them to flourish.
- Relationships are strong within the school community. Caring and supportive partnerships are at the heart of St Michael's with wellbeing prioritised.
- Strong leadership in religious education (RE) ensures the subject has a high profile. Learning is engaging as it enables pupils to ask important questions and express their views.
The inspector also highlighted the efforts the school makes for parents.
It said: “A wide range of strong partnerships are actively fostered by leaders serving the school community well. Parents appreciate the additional support and guidance that is provided. A belief in the importance of supportive, caring relationships is central and wellbeing is prioritised.
“Leaders understand the context of their school. They provide opportunities for pupils to make choices and deal with challenges of life effectively. Pupils' moral and social development, underpinned by the vision, is a high priority. Pupils understand and value the role and responsibilities they have when supporting others within the local community. Each class has a charity they have chosen and fundraise for throughout the year. There are regular visits to local care homes and experiences like the 'mini police'.”
Clare said: “We are so pleased that the SIAMS inspector highlighted the way in which we have built a sense of community at St Michael’s. We talk about pupils being equipped for ‘now and the future’ and we achieve this by working in partnership with our families, our governors, the church, the Trust and outside partners such as the St John’s Foundation. It is always good to be given confirmation that we are on the right path and we will use this to go from strength to strength in the future.”